Alonso rules out Spanish qualifying repeat

Although the two-time world champion is delighted that the improvements to his R28 made in Barcelona have shown to be a definite step forward, he has played down his chances of challenging for pole position again.

"In qualifying it depends on the strategies that the people will choose and the strategy we will choose as well, and that is not decided at the moment," said Alonso, when asked about his chance of repeating his Barcelona form.

"The first row of the grid? I think that is a little bit too much. I think in Barcelona we were more involved there, and with the people there, it was a lot of things.

"I hope to repeat the performance and everything, but the first row of the grid is quite difficult. We achieved it once so I have to be happy, but top four or top five will be our maximum here, I guess."

Alonso added that while the aerodynamic and mechanical updates fitted to his car in Barcelona were welcome, the team cannot afford a repeat of the engine problem that forced him out of his home race.

"I had more or less the same feeling driving the car as I had in Barcelona," said Alonso about his running on Friday.

"It means it is a good feeling because it is a better car than the [one I drove in the] first three races, so hopefully we can put a good performance together in qualifying.

"In the race, we need to finish. We lost important points in Barcelona, and we cannot lose any more. At the moment so far, the weekend has been more or less the same as it was in Barcelona, so that is good for us."